Sproat Lake Provincial Park
 Sproat
Lake Provincial Park is a popular fresh water lake destination
on central Vancouver Island located in the Alberni
Valley area. The fresh water lake is just a short 10 minute drive
from the city core of Port Alberni, BC village and is
a mainstay of the area for swimming, fishing, kayaking, water
skiing and, even, windsurfing when the winds
pick up. The 43 hectare park of Sproat Lake is surrounded
by unique year round waterfront homes and resorts. Thousands of visitors
come every year to live life on Sproat Lake, even if
it is for just a visit.
Sproat Lake is a fun filled, all-season
destination with hiking trails leading around the park with lake views
to photograph, paint or just sit back and enjoy. One of the trail systems
leads to the east end of Sproat Lake where one can enjoy
prehistoric art left behind from our ancestors called the K'ak'awin
Petroglyphs. Some say the petroglyphs represent the monsters
of the lake from the past. Scary eh !
 There
is three separate picnic sites located throughout the day-use area of
Sproat Lake Provincial Park. The Sproat Lake Park includes
picnic tables set under the shadows of Douglas Fir trees
and Western Red Cedar with campfire rings, a large grassy
area, pit toilets and 2 flush toilet buildings (one next to the boat launch
and one by the lower campground.) The grassy area and beach are ideal
for picnics, or just stretching out in the sun next to the lake.
 Sproat
Lake is also the home to Canada's only water
bomber planes named the Martin Mars Water Bombers. The
largest water bombers in the world. These giant classic forest fighting
planes, the Martin Mars Water Bombers, are in constant
high demand during the dry season here on the west coast.
Visitors are in awe at the size of the Martin Mars
Water Bombers which are in view of the public as the water
bombers rest on the lake waiting for their next call to duty.
On a moments notice the Martin Mars Water Bombers,
start up there thunderous engines taking to the air, circling high above
before diving down skirting the surface of Sproat Lake
scooping up to 27 tons of water on their way to fight the forest fires
of British Columbia.
The Sproat Lake Provincial Park area has
some trails that are wheel chair accessible. There is running water taps,
hot showers located near the lower campsite and a boat launch. There is
not a sani-station, playground or electrical hook up available at this
Vancouver Island Provincial Park.
How to get to Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
The Sproat Lake Provincial Park is located
west of the community of Port Alberni, BC on central
Vancouver Island. From the Inland Hwy or the Oceanside
Route Hwy near the community of Parksville and Qualicum
Beach look for the Hwy #4 exit towards the communities of Tofino
and Port Alberni. From the Parksville, BC exit
it is about a 45 minute drive to Port Alberni and onto
Sproat Lake Provincial Park.
|
